Bruce Lee Podcast

#19 Bruce Lee Superfan: Steve Aoki

This week we talk with Bruce Lee Superfan Steve Aoki. Steve is a
Grammy nominated Electro house musician, DJ and record producer.
Steve’s unique musical life is the subject of a new Netflix
documentary called “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead," Steve has been a
die-hard Bruce Lee devotee since he was a kid. When he was taking
karate classes, and he emulated all of Bruce Lee’s moves and became
obsessed with watching every Bruce Lee movie repeatedly on VHS.
Aoki looked up to Bruce Lee as an Asian man who “made it” when
there weren’t any strong Asian role models. Having a strong,
kick-ass Asian man like Bruce Lee as a role model helped Aoki build
confidence even though he experienced racism growing up in Newport
Beach. As a teen, Aoki and his friends studied Bruce’s interviews
and read the Tao of Jeet Kune Do together. This practice became the
basis for his lifelong love for Bruce Lee’s philosophy. The Bruce
Lee quote that Aoki always uses is “Be like water” and he adds
“...by any means necessary.” He also uses: “Sometimes a goal is
just something to aim at.” He applies these philosophies in his
life by being fluid in his journey towards his goals and following
his own creative path. "To live like Bruce Lee, is to be fluid like
water and make your own journey." Aoki on Bruce Lee’s influence:
“Talking about the human side of things, there are a few people
that have really changed the world by their words…Bruce Lee is one
of them. There are only a few people that can really talk to people
in a way that really touches you to the soul. And you know how
genuine and authentic and human it is. It’s not about the martial
art really, the martial art is an extension of his philosophy and
the human side of everything. So when you get there, then you’re a
devout fan for life, you’re changed forever.” Bruce Lee’s
philosophy also informs Steve Aoki’s creative process and how he
thinks about making music--putting his whole heart into his work.
“Music isn’t just something that you listen to, and especially at
shows, you’re experiencing all your senses.” #AAHA (Awesome Asians
and Hapas) Steve Aoki does this week’s #AHAA’s shout-out to his
friend Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park. Shinoda is a Japanese
American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer,
graphic designer, manager, and film composer. He co-founded Linkin
Park in 1996 and Machine Shop Recordings in 2004, and his artwork
has been featured in the Japanese American National Museum. Keep on
being awesome Mike! #BruceLeeMoment Even though Steve Aoki can
claim his whole life as one big #BruceLeeMoment, he shares a
specific #BruceLeeMoment: “Game of Death was an incredible film.
It’s like a video game but he was fighting all these different
characters. And the fight he did with Kareem Abdul Jabbar, I stood
in front of the framed poster of him fighting Kareem Abdul Jabbar,
it’s just so epic, him in his yellow jumpsuit and Kareem being 90
ft tall. I just remember that moment right now, it just popped in
my head, it always pops in my head. He’s just a badass, what can I
say? But like what I was saying throughout this whole podcast, all
the different ways that I’ve been able to survive and thrive and
build these many successes, and really think about my life, it’s
always from a Bruce Lee quote. Whether it’s “Be like water,” or
“The journey is more important than the destination.” You have to
be able to speak to people where you’re not excluding them too.
That’s what he did, he spoke to everybody. It wasn’t like he was a
human rights leader, but he was in the way in that he didn’t
exclude anyone…and that’s one thing that really made me love this
guy so much.” Thank you Steve Aoki for sharing how Bruce Lee has
shaped your life and career. We support you and think you’re
awesome! Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with
us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com

About the Podcast

Join Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee and cultural anthropologist Sharon Ann Lee for a conversation about the life and philosophy of Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee was a famous martial artist, movie star and cultural icon--but his philosophy has caught fire around the world inspiring millions searching for meaning and consciousness. Each episode will dig deep into Bruce’s philosophy to provide guidance and action on cultivating your truest self.
“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.”